Although holiday travel periods heighten the likelihood of crashes as a consequence of the rise in road users, the rise in alcohol consumption can be cause for concern.
Hundreds of thousands of Americans are gearing as much as have a good time Labor Day. While the vacation weekend brings barbecues, parades, and end-of-summer fun, it also poses significant risks on the road.
Many business fleet drivers will remain hard at work even in the course of the holiday. It’s essential to emphasize the importance of creating smart and protected selections during holidays like Labor Day.
Increased Amount of Drivers Predicted to Travel
This 12 months’s projected variety of travelers on the road is up 9% in comparison with 2023, in keeping with AAA data.
Although international trips are also common during this time, Vice President of Travel for AAA Debbie Haas confirms that regional road trips are the preferred option for families on Labor Day weekend, emphasizing the increased variety of vehicles on the road over the vacation.
Automobile travelers should plan accordingly, as roads can grow to be congested quickly. To avoid traffic attributable to the mixture of travelers and commuters, AAA suggests planning your driving time for early Friday morning unless you are hitting the road on Saturday when the most effective time to travel by automobile is within the afternoon.
Travelers and commuters rolling out on Sunday and Labor Day should leave as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic. Give yourself more time to get to your destination. More road users means longer commute times.
Surge in Drunk Driving Incidents Expected
Although holiday travel periods heighten the likelihood of crashes as a consequence of the rise in road users, the rise in alcohol consumption can be cause for concern. The National Safety Council (NSC) predicts 457 lives will probably be lost in preventable travel crashes between 6:00 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 and 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2.
“Preventable traffic crashes claim far too many lives every year, and by following easy safety measures, we are able to all do our part to make sure a safer journey for everybody,” Mark Chung, vice chairman of safety leadership and advocacy at NSC, said.
Like many holidays, drunk driving is a major issue over Labor Day weekend, and fatalities from drunk driving spike by nearly a 3rd.
Like many holidays, drunk driving is a major issue over Labor Day weekend, and fatalities from drunk driving spike by nearly a 3rd, in keeping with a Truckinfo.net evaluation of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data.
Historically, the vast majority of driving fatalities have occurred in rural areas. Nonetheless, this trend reversed in 2017. Over the past decade, driving fatalities in urban areas has nearly doubled. At the identical time, driving fatalities in rural areas have decreased by 17%.
If you’ve got to work over the Labor Day weekend and have a good time the vacation in your off hours, give yourself enough time to sober up before getting behind the wheel.
In accordance with NSC, other safety considerations include:
- Prepare before you go: Before hitting the road, ensure your automobile is protected for driving. Vehicle owners should check the oil, put air within the tires, and check for and repair open recalls.
- Buckle up: Lack of seat belt use is a top reason behind crash fatalities.
- Decelerate: Speeding is a think about greater than a quarter of all traffic fatalities.
- Drive distraction-free: Put your phones away while driving and remain alert.
As you intend your Labor Day celebrations or plan to go to work, do not forget that prioritizing safety on the road is important for ensuring a fun and accident-free holiday weekend.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotive-fleet.com
